The Walsh Jesuit football team opens the season Aug. 27 when it plays host to Louisville at 7 p.m. Walsh coach Gerry Rardin said he likes the team's focus going into the official start of practice on Monday.

"Team is learning a lot right now," Rardin said in an e-mail this week. "The thing like most is that they are tireless workers."

Some fans out there know whether they have a competitive team, others have little clue. Still here's a list of the important dates for high school football on the Ohio High School Athletic Association calendar:

I'm George Thomas and plan to be able to lead readers through the maze of high school sports in the area from the Northeast Ohio staple of football in fall through hoops and wrestling in the winter to baseball and other sports through the spring.

Carrollton senior QB Johnny Lowdermilk (6-2, 195) has reportedly been offered by Kent State, according to ScoutingOhio.com. Lowdermilk also reportedly has offers from Miami (Ohio), Toledo and Air Force.

Firestone senior running back Cody Grice said he has received scholarship offers to play football at the University of Akron and Alabama State University, but he plans to wait until after the 2010 season to make a commitment.

Grice revealed his plan during a phone interview Thursday with the Beacon Journal.

St. Vincent-St. Mary DB Doran Grant has been selected to participate in the Champion Gridiron Kings high school football event July 24-25 in suburban Orlando.

The event will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will feature 65 high school players competing at seven skill positions, including quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety.

Former Akron racer infielder Jessica Toocheck is considered a favorite to become the head softball coach at Medina High School.

Toocheck is a Medina High School graduate who played shortstop for the Battling Bees. She also played at Kent State University before joining the Racers in the 2008 season after graduating from KSU and played two seasons.